Yorkshire Three Peaks Circuit
Three summits, 1,505m of ascent, and a finish back in Horton means that you have definitely earned a drink.
Effort: Ultra distance and major ascent
Underfoot: Open fell or rough terrain
E5·T3 — how we grade routesNo photos of this route yet. Sign in to add one
Mostly on runnable ground, but most runners still walk the steepest climbs.
The classic 41.5km circuit linking Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough — the defining challenge run of the Yorkshire Dales.
Three summits, 1,505m of ascent, and a finish back in Horton means that you have definitely earned a drink.
The challenge
The Three Peaks Circuit is 41.5km with around 1,505m of ascent and takes most trail runners 5–8 hours. It's been a challenge route since the 1950s and an official fell race since 1954. The route goes Pen-y-ghent first, then Whernside, then Ingleborough — the traditional direction.
Pen-y-ghent
From Horton car park, the Pennine Way leads south before a steep rocky ascent to the summit at 694m. The classic stepped profile is unmistakeable.
Whernside
A long road and track section connects to Horton Scar Lane before the climb to Ribblehead and up onto the Whernside ridge — the highest point of the day at 736m.
Ingleborough
The final and toughest climb — a long approach across flat moorland before the steep pull onto the plateau at 723m. The descent back to Horton through Horton Scar completes the circuit.
Conditions
The route is well-signed throughout. The boggy sections between Ribblehead and Ingleborough can be brutal after rain. Most runners carry 1.5–2 litres of water.
Partner · affiliate policy
Long route with significant distance between sheltered sections. Navigation in cloud on Ingleborough plateau can be tricky despite waymarking. Carry map and compass as backup.
Summits on this route
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
- Most runners complete Yorkshire Three Peaks Circuit in 5 hours 50 minutes to 7 hours 50 minutes, depending on pace and conditions.
Run by us· last checked June 2026
Jason Millward has run this route and written it up from the ground. How we check routes
About the author
Runner reports
Nobody's logged a run here yet. If you get out on it, a few lines about how it went helps the next person plan their day.
Routes nearby
Start from a town: Horton-in-Ribblesdale 0.8 km · Settle 8.9 km
HARD
EXPERT
VERY HARD
MODERATERaces on this ground
All Yorkshire Dales races →Races starting within 20 km of the Yorkshire Three Peaks Circuit start, nearest first. If you are entered for one, this route is the rehearsal.
24
Apr
2027
Three Peaks Race
Horton in Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire · Three Peaks Race · 0 miles away
Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough from Horton, as it has been since 1954.
Not open yet
24
Apr
2027
The Fellsman
Ingleton, North Yorkshire · The Fellsman · 7 miles away
Sixty-one miles across the Dales from Ingleton to Threshfield, navigating all the way.
Not open yet
1
May
2027
Pennine Barrier Ultra 50
Malham, North Yorkshire · GB Ultras · 8 miles away
Fifty hard Dales miles out of Malham.
EXPERT
Entries open
10
Jan
2027
Winter Spine Challenger North
Hardraw, North Yorkshire · The Spine Race · 12 miles away
Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm, the northern hundred and sixty, starting at dusk.
Event full